Rory MacDonald out of UFC 152

There is a big difference between being cut from the UFC and receiving a cut. Both, however will result in the fighters removal from competition. During last nights UFC on Fox card, Dana White was notified that Rory MacDonald had suffered a severe cut over his eyebrow in practice, resulting in his removal from the upcoming UFC 152 bout with BJ Penn.

“Rory’s out. He got cut open today. Wide open – 38, 48 stitches, something like that,” White said. “No contact for a month. (The fight is) off. I found out tonight, halfway through the show.”

It’s unknown at this time if there will be a replacement to fight Penn according to White. As hard as it was for Dana to convince BJ to come out of retirement, it may be even harder to keep him on the card. Penn saw the match against Rory as a way to prove himself to Canada, Tristar, and to even redeem himself for the loss to GSP.

UFC 152 takes place on September 22nd at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. The event will be headlined in the first ever Flyweight championship bout between Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson. The event still has a great co-main event in a pivotal middleweight match-up between former Ultimate Fighter winner Michael Bisping and former WEC Light-Heavyweight champion Brian Stann. Stay tuned for more information on the situation of Penn on the UFC 152 card.

Update: Rory has requested to have the fight with BJ Penn moved to UFC 154: St-Pierre vs. Condit card in November. Penn also responds with a request of a postponed fight at UFC in Rio.

I am sorry to hear about the injury to @rory_MacDonald, this is a fight that got me out of retirement and one that I was looking forward to. I would like to wish Rory a speedy and healthy recovery and request a postponement of our fight to the Rio card. To Rory, let’s stay with VADA and continue through with the program from now until we fight!